on gearing back up for IMWI.

08/26/2015

Following a big training weekend in northern Wisconsin, Nick and I were being lazy relaxing when I noticed my IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene medal hanging on the mantel (highly debatable living room decor, I know). It almost feels like the race didn’t happen, I told him. 

It’s really weird… I mean, I know it happened, but at the same time, it feels like eons ago and almost like a dream, a really hot training day smack in the middle of Ironman Wisconsin training. Maybe I’m just blocking out the 106F inferno misery! 

Anyway, recovery went well and much quicker than I expected. After a week of rest and play in Big Sky, TrainingPeaks had a full week of workouts, albeit super easy with zero watts and slow, short runs. In the weeks since, watts and speed + tempo work have reappeared – along with my legs. 

DCIM104GOPRO
How I feel about cycling (and training in general) ♥

So, what’s it been like to jump back into training? 

Pretty good! I’m tired! You know you’re tired when the first thing you think when you swing your legs over the bed in the morning is… when can I crawl back in?!

Tiredness aside (thank you, Garmin 920, for motivating me to get my butt to bed most nights!), this build into IMWI has been solid and so much fun. I wasn’t quite sure how my body would react with such a short turnaround – just under 12 weeks between the two – but it’s responded well, carrying me through the return of double run + tempo Sundays, speed work on Fridays and long, high watt bike intervals (on the deck when it’s too late to chase daylight on the road after work… don’t go, summer!).  

DCIM105GOPRO

Not every workout has been comfortable – there’s been plenty of getting comfortable with the uncomfortable… of being ok with long lung (and arm) exploding sunset sets in the pool, with coach-cursing bike intervals, with a painful hydration + nutrition fail on the IMWI bike course (but… I love that course so much!), with the constantly heavy legs.

But, we don’t do triathlon because it’s comfortable, right?! It’s about pushing our bodies (and minds!) to see what we’re capable of. It’s about finding your edge. It’s about remembering the joy of why we started in the first place. That’s what keeps us coming back over and over and over again. 

Less than three weeks ’til Ironman Wisconsin… cannot wait to tackle 140.6 again! 

Comfort never leads to excellence. What it takes to become great is practice… the kind that hurts, that stretches and grows you. -J. Goins

DCIM105GOPRO
Bridge out, so found a new favorite road and cool farm building near Hastings.
DCIM105GOPRO
Almost always happy to be on my bike.
DCIM105GOPRO
Glassy open water swim on Little Round near Hayward, Wisconsin, with some great folks!
FullSizeRender 4
My favorite barn along the IRONMAN Wisconsin bike course.
IMG_5227
Lakeside recovery on Monona in Madison.
DCIM105GOPRO
Practicing my reach and finding the quiet during a rainy swim.
DCIM105GOPRO
Mid long + windy ride Mexi Cokes are best shared with friends.
DCIM105GOPRO
Sunday morning long run with my favorite person on my favorite route (Ford-Franklin bridge loop along the mighty Mississippi).

You Might Also Like

13 Comments

  • Reply Amy 08/26/2015 at 8:18 am

    This race is sneaking up, isn’t it?? I wish you the best of luck and can’t wait to follow along on your racy day 🙂

  • Reply kristin | W [H] A T C H 08/26/2015 at 8:25 am

    mexicokes are seriously the best training motivation. excited for you at IMWI!

  • Reply Maddy Vaith 08/26/2015 at 8:53 am

    Love it Erin! Can’t wait. I love your statement on finding your edge, so stinking true! XOXO

  • Reply Laura 08/26/2015 at 11:59 am

    Mexi coke is pretty good….but Cheerwine is king! Real sugar (no alcohol) cherry soda. It is native to North Carolina, so maybe you don’t have it up your way? Highly recommended. 🙂
    I’m excited for you…IMWI countdown is ON!

  • Reply Kecia 08/26/2015 at 12:17 pm

    I am so excited to be cheering you on this year!! If there is anything you need, please let me know…I am more than willing to help out 🙂

  • Reply Leslie @ TriathleteTreats 08/26/2015 at 10:15 pm

    YAY!!! I am so excited for you!! Great to hear that recovery went well and that you are back to your fast/hard work outs!! Good luck with your last couple of weeks of training!!

  • Reply katielookingforward 08/27/2015 at 7:09 am

    Trainer on the deck!? That’s genius!!! Also, gorgeous reach in the swim photo, nice work!

  • Reply Jessie 08/27/2015 at 9:28 am

    Great post, so happy your recovery went well and the short transition between the two has been okay! Love all the pictures, especially the swimming one- how did you do that?

    After Ironman Wisconsin, its baby vizsla time right 🙂

    Best of luck in the final weeks of training!

  • Reply Kelsey @ Happy Triathlete 08/27/2015 at 10:07 am

    Looks like you’ve been having some awesome training adventures 🙂

  • Reply Brittany 08/27/2015 at 1:01 pm

    Loving your training posts & pics as usual! I can’t believe you have another IM right around the corner – I’m always in awe of those that can train smart and do more than 1 IM per season, truly remarkable. Have fun in the last few weeks!

  • Reply Kristina 08/30/2015 at 8:47 am

    I’m always impressed with people who tackle the 140.6 distance 2x per year, let alone twice in a summer! Glad to hear that you are feeling strong and enjoying it. Can’t wait to hear about IMWI!

  • Reply Kristen 09/12/2015 at 8:27 pm

    Thinking about you, Erin!!! I know your head and heart are in the right place going into this race and that you will have a great performance out on the course!!! Best of luck tomorrow!!!

  • Reply Kelly the Culinarian 09/15/2015 at 4:30 pm

    I loved watching for you Sunday – great to see you on the course looking strong!

  • your thoughts…

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.